Rumble Coffee Roasters

As we reach the 10 year milestone at Rumble Coffee, we are also entering a new phase of growth. We are thrilled to be hiring for a full time Account Manager to help us retain and grow our network of awesome wholesale partners. We're looking for a team player who is has a love of genuine, authentic customer service. The ideal candidate will be team player who can communicate effectively from outside the office, take care of our cafes, while also digging in alongside team-mates to get things done back at the roastery. Perks include working for a company commited to integrity, and a positive and welcoming team culture. Apply here: https://bit.ly/3XnksO7

You may have noticed a fair bit of talk lately, about cheaper coffee, and 'reputable' newspapers talking about where you can still find a $3.50 cup of coffee. This is NOT the conversation we should be having. Cheap coffee has a destructive impact on the hospitality industry, ethical pay, the environment, and the calibre of specialty coffee that Melbourne has become known for.  If cafe owners are charging less for their coffee, someone is without a doubt, getting screwed over. Cafe owners will be trying to cut costs wherever they can. Whether that's with unfair wages, or trying to source the cheapest coffee they can find. Which pressures roasters to put THEIR prices down, and source the cheapest green coffee they can find. Which causes green buyers to pay less to growers; the most vulnerable people in the whole equation. This, in turn, lowering the standard of the green coffee. The result? Bad coffee, underpaid workers, struggling cafe owners, and the ultimate demise of the coffee industry as we know it. The biting truth is that good coffee is NEVER cheap coffee. 

At Rumble, we hold a deep belief in the importance of valuing growers. It is part of our core identity to ensure that they are paid fairly for their hard work. While one might assume that the days of underpayment and exploitative practices in the coffee industry are long gone, sadly, this is far from the truth. Many coffee producers struggle to make ends meet, and some even operate at a loss. This not only leads to lower quality coffee but also pushes them to grow supplementary crops like coca. This is precisely why we are dedicated to compensating producers appropriately for their exceptional coffee production. We specifically choose to partner with growers who prioritize specialty coffee, embrace sustainable practices, strive for delicious coffee, and work towards improving the industry as a whole. Collaborating with these committed producers comes at a higher cost, but it brings us immense satisfaction. When you purchase our coffee, you can easily find on our website the precise information about how much we paid for it and how much it exceeds the fairtrade price. Price transparency is at the heart of our commitment to supporting growers.

Luis Carlos Gutierrez, producer of our newest single origin, has a unique and careful approach to coffee production. Coffee has been in his blood for generations, and he's chosen to adopt an approach of continuous learning, and implementing new processes which allow for the production of a higher quality specialty coffee. He carefully handpicks only the ripest of coffee cherries, before the cherries are fermented from 40 to 60 years, depending on the weather. Following that, cherries are floated to remove any defective cherries, before being taken to a drying area where they dry for 3 weeks. We paid 50% above the fairtrade price for this coffee, because we are committed to a sustainable future for specialty coffee farmers.

Rumble's green buyer, Matt Hampton, had the opportunity to spend the last few weeks in Rwanda, meeting some of the incredible coffee producers, who we've gotten to work alongside for a number of years now. A highlight was the opportunity to meet Marie Bedabasingwa, a dedicated producer who we've been buying coffee from for over 5 years. Marie has been working in coffee since 1976, and was one of the founding members of the Dukundekawa Cooperative, a members owned co-op which allows farmers to access higher prices for specialty coffee.

The Rumble Crew. United by a common goal of creating a sustainable future for coffee, where everyone in the supply chain is paid fairly, and coffees are sourced with integrity and transparency.

Cafe Spotlight! Glory Us, located in Strathmore and Fitzroy, is an incredible Melbourne cafe serving up Rumble Coffee. Tori Bicknell and Mike Byard, owners of Glory Us, have both been working in Melbourne's hospo industry for many years, and their collective experience has resulted in a welcoming venue known for a delicious menu, and exceptional customer service. https://lnkd.in/gXiZNFE9

With our new single origins, we have the privilege of highlighting the remarkable dedication of our producer partners. Pedro Gabarra, one of our esteemed long-time partners, exemplifies a steadfast commitment to both quality and sustainability, evident in every coffee we receive from him. During our visit late last year, we witnessed firsthand Pedro's unwavering passion for producing high-quality coffee. In addition to their progressive farming practices that prioritize sustainability and the local environment, Pedro and his family have established a refuge for injured or trafficked birds called "Wings". This incredible program has been so successful that a second shelter has recently been added to accommodate more birds in need.

May marked the one-year anniversary of Rumble Coffee's cafe, 'Double Dutch Bakery', and what an incredible year it has been! A year ago, our dedicated team worked tirelessly to transform a dull little spot into the vibrant hub we envisioned for the Kensington community. One year on, we are immensely grateful for the rewarding journey.

Love coffee and people? Have a passion for sales? We are very excited to be opening a brand new Business Development Manager role at Rumble Coffee. We pride ourselves on having a great work culture and a warm and collaborative team, and the successful applicant would have the opportunity to take ownership of sales, wholesale partnerships, and strategic planning for the wholesale sector of Rumble Coffee. Apply: https://bit.ly/3RnPoeM